[Dithsoer]

What would be a good way to spend, say, $400.00 on a Ruger New Model Vaquero in .357 Magnum with emphasis on accuracy and shootability? The uses it will be put to include exhibition-type shooting and Cowboy Action. And although this last may seem rather silly, I'm really looking for something to set it apart, give it a uniqueness from the standard Vaquero (maybe a brass grip frame?). Any suggestions?

[Darkness]

You should check out Rugerforum.org and take a look at the Revolver and Gallery sections. Lots of good stuff there.

[Jim March]

http://www.equalccw.com/vaqhawk

If I was doing these sights again I'd use FA front sight parts:

http://gunblast.com/Freedom_NewSight.htm

The stock grip panels have just got to go. Smooth wood is what's needed...beveled or round-bottom if you're a pinkie-under shooter, otherwise flat-bottoms.

Grips, sights and a spring job will run you about $300ish or a tad more. Hammers are cheap, $35 if you drop one in yourself as I did.

Ejector rod end decor is up to you :). I used putty epoxy to do a flat end, then used a printed design and nail polish for the "shock and awe" face :eek: I call "psychological warfare".

[alucard0822]

http://www.bob-munden.com/option1.htm

this is a good way to go if you are not the do-it yourself type.

If you are, most of the work that makes the biggest improvement is done by stoning and polishing, somewhat tedious, and easy to screw up. On my old model 357 Vaq, I polished and shimmed the hammer, reduced and polished the sear and hammer mating surfaces, ground, timed and polished the hand, put in new springs (mostly for a heavier base pin lock spring, a locking base pin, fluted it and fitted it to the frame and cylinder, polished the forcing cone concentric, and tightened the barrel just a tad to both bring down the cyl to cone gap, and adjust the sights to POA, then I filed the front sight to bring it up to POA, polished it back up, frosted the back of both sights, and fit a new set of walnut burl grips. It took some time and reading to accomplish, but the results are great, and all for about $100 in parts.